Senior Delivery Manager – Aerospace Engineering R&D

Job Title: Senior Delivery Manager – Aerospace Engineering R&D
Location: San Jose, California USA
Duration: 9-12+ months
 
Role Responsibilities 
The Senior Delivery Manager will be responsible for 
•    Lead multiple aerospace engineering programs with responsibility for schedule, cost, quality, and customer satisfaction.
•    Establish delivery governance frameworks, KPIs, dashboards, and risk management processes.
•    Drive execution of fixed-price, T&M, managed services, and outcome-based engineering engagements.
•    Manage program planning, resource allocation, budgeting, profitability, and contractual commitments.
•    Ensure on-time delivery while maintaining aerospace quality and regulatory compliance requirements.
•    Conduct regular program reviews with customers and executive leadership.
•    Build and maintain relationships with senior customer stakeholders including Engineering Directors, Chief Engineers, Program Managers, and CTO organizations.
•    Act as trusted advisor for engineering and technology transformation initiatives.
•    Manage customer escalations and drive resolution through structured problem-solving.
•    Identify opportunities for account growth and long-term strategic partnerships.
•    Lead multi-disciplinary teams across Avionics, Cockpit Systems, Automated Test Systems, Aerospace Manufacturing, V&V and Certifications
•    Oversee development activities aligned to DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754/61
•    Lead and mentor project managers to build high-performance organizations.
•    Own delivery P&L and revenue targets, Drive utilization, productivity, margin improvement, and operational efficiency.
•    Monitor financial performance against plan and take corrective actions.
•    Partner with sales and account teams to support growth initiatives.
•    The role requires ownership of end-to-end program execution, customer relationship management, engineering delivery excellence, P&L performance, resource planning, quality, and business growth.
 
Qualifications
Education
•    Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science, or related engineering discipline.
•    PMP, MBA, or equivalent leadership certification desirable.
Experience
•    15+ years of Engineering R&D experience.
•    8+ years in program or delivery leadership roles.
•    Demonstrated experience managing large aerospace engineering engagements.
•    Experience working with global aerospace OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, defense organizations, or space agencies.
•    Possess soft skills such as Strategic Thinking, Negotiation Skills and Influencing, Collaboration, Problem solving and crisis management
 
Success Metrics
•    Delivery predictability >95%
•    Zero Post Release Defect 
•    Revenue and margin, Increased account Penetration and business wins